"There, I don't believe you could have got it off, Lucy, you didn't know
how."

"Why, I never tried--papa fastened it on himself--oh, Jimmy-boy, you
will be so careful of it, now won't you?"

For the watch lay in his hand, and she did not know how to get it back
again. When he had set his heart on anything Lucy usually gave up.
Barbara looked on in disapproval as the big brother put the watch in his
pocket.

It had long been Jimmy's unspoken wish to have a watch of his very own
like Nate Pollard and various other boys. How rich and handsome the
short gold chain looked! What a bright spot it made as it dangled down
his new jacket. He gazed at it admiringly, while Bab and Lucy took
turns in looking through the spy-glass.

"The stage is coming," they cried. Then they all started and ran down
the mountain; but as the stage drove up to the hotel no colonel
alighted, or at least, no one who looked like a colonel. Jimmy was
playing with the short gold chain which made a bright spot on his
jacket. He meant to restore the watch to its owner at dinner-time; but
it was early, he was not going in yet. And there was Nate Pollard
throwing up his cap and looking ready for a frolic.

"I stump you to catch me!" said Nate.

"Poh, I can catch you and not half try."

Jimmy-boy was agile, Nate rather heavily built and clumsy. But if Jimmy